Arkansas Long-Term Care: What you need to know

Employers have no obligation under Arkansas law to offer long-term care insurance to their employees. However, if long-term care insurance is among the benefits offered, certain state law requirements limit how the plan may be designed.

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A long-term care policy cannot define a “preexisting condition” more restrictively than as a condition for which medical advice or treatment was recommended by or received from a provider of healthcare services within six months before the effective date of coverage (AR Code Ann. Sec. 23-97-308). Additionally, a long-term care policy cannot exclude coverage for a loss or confinement that is the result of a preexisting condition, unless the loss or confinement begins within six months following the effective date of coverage.

A long-term care insurance policy may not condition eligibility for any benefits on prior hospitalization or on the receipt of a higher level of institutional care (AR Code Ann. Sec. 23-97-309).

The Arkansas Long-Term Care Partnership is a program to encourage and recognize the efforts of Arkansans to prepare for the financial impact of the need for long-term care. Qualifying for Medicaid normally requires a very low-level of personal assets, often forcing seniors to spend down their hard-earned money to qualify. Individuals can be covered by a Long-Term Care Partnership policy if they meet other Medicaid eligibility requirements, including the income standards. In its calculation of eligibility for Medicaid benefits, Medicaid will disregard or exclude assets equal to the amount of benefits paid under a Long-Term Care Partnership policy. For more information, visit http://insurance.arkansas.gov

Record retention is complex and time consuming. However, in addition to complying with various federal and state laws, keeping good, well-organized records can be very helpful in documenting and supporting an organization’s employment actions.
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This special report will discuss how you can ensure your records are in good order, and establish a record-retention policy.